Brake



B. E. HOUSE June 16,/ 1953 BRAkE 3 Sheets-Shea?I 1 Filed Dec. 1e. 1947 v Mrs/Ewa? 5pm/v5 Haas/5 June 16, 1953 B. E. HOUSE l 2,62,l59

BRAKE Filed Dec. 16. 1947 lZ Sheets-Sheet 2 June 16, 1953 B. E..Housr: 2,642,159

BRAKE Filed DBC. 16. 1947 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 Patented `lune 1 6, 1953 BRAKE Bryan House, South Bend, Ind., assignor to Bendix Aviation Corporation, South Bend, Ind., a. corporation ofk Delaware Application December 16, 1947, Serial No. 792,019

l This invention relates to improvements in the construction and arrangement of brakes, and has as its primary object the provision of a simplified, and therefore inexpensive, brake. Y The* brake described herein is particularly suitable for useY as the propeller shaft parking brake of an automobile. At the present time, most automobiles derivev their emergency, or parking, brake operation from actuation of a lever andstrut providedin each; of .theV rear wheel Abrakes of the vehicle. Trucks and buses utilize, as an emergency, or parking, brake, a. fth brake which is entirely independent of the wheel brakes, and which. isarranged to act directly'on the propeller shaft of the vehicle. The propeller shaft type of parking brake has certain advantages. v It is much'closer to the actuating lever than the rear wheel brakes, thus simplifying the applying linkage and reducing friction losses in the linkage. In addition, kthe propeller shaft parking brake has a higher mechanical advantage than the rear wheel parking brakes, owing to the relatively high rotational speed of the propeller shaft.

Because the propeller shaft parking brake is anfadditional brake on the vehicle, if it is to be used in place of the present rear wheel parking brake arrangement, it must combine simplicity and effectiveness in such a way as to be an infA expensivesubs'titute for the conventional arrangement. .A

Among the advantages and novel featuresof myA improved brake, which make. it particularly brake, are the following:

(1)"The brake shoes consist of flat, arcuate strips, omitting the usual strengtheningwebs, thereby reducing cost and increasing the space available in the brake assembly;`

suitable for use asa propeller shaft parking (2) The center plane of the brake coincides' with the' plane ofthe supporting plate, and the supporting plate is provided with ears which eX- tend into slots in the shoes to guide the shoes;

and'

(3)' The applying lever acts directly on the rimsv -of the shoes at axially spaced points of engagementthe lever being supported by the shoe rims, which extend betweenthe spaced side portions ofthelever. f ",Qther vobjects and advantages ofthe present invention will become apparentV during the following description'of a plurality of illustrative embodiments of theV invention, reference being had therein to theaccompanying drawings in which;

j Figure 1 is an elevational view of a brake as-y sembly which embodies the invention;

19 Claims. (Cl. 18S-78) of Figures 1 to 4 mounted in position on the probrake arrangement disclosed herein.

Figure 2 is a section taken on the. line 2,'-2 of'Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a plan View of the brake assembly of Figure 1;

' Figure 4 is a bly of Figure 1;

Figure v5 is a sectional view showing the brake bottomA View of the brake assempeller shaft of an automotive Vehicle;

Figure 6 is an elevational'view of a modified version Vof my improved brake; and

Figure '7 is a bottom view of the brake assembly of Figure 6. l

Referring to the brake shown in Figures 1 to fl, a flat annular supporting plate, or spider, l2 is adapted to be secured to a non-rotatable member by means of suitable fastening members eX- tending'through the openings lll provided in the plate. The supporting plate l2, which will ordinarily Vbe formed by stamping, has an integralv radially-extending projection, or arm, I6, which is arranged .to serve as the anchor for the brakeA shoes.

Two brake shoes I8 and 20 are provided, which` are preferably identical in construction, and each of which is a flat, arcuate strip, consisting solely of a metal backing member, or rim, 22 and a friction material lining 24 secured thereto. Omission of the customary strengthening rwebs in the shoe construction, while it sacrifices the additional stiffening effect'obtained from such webs, has several important advantages inthe vIn Y addition to reducing cost, the shoe construction shown also increases the available space at the center of the brakeassembly, which is particularly important in a small diameter brake, and permits the center line of Ythe brake shoes'to coincide with the plane of the supporting plate l2, without requiring much space between the brake drum and the mounting circle of the bolt openings I4,

The shoes yare guided, i. e. prevented from moving laterally, by means of integral ears formed on the supporting plate, or spider, I2, which extend intoV radial slots provided in the shoes. Each shoe has an upper slot 26 which receives the corresponding ear 28 on the spider, and a central slot 30 which receives the corresponding -ear 32 on the spider. The slots extend through both the rim 22 and lining 24 of the shoes. In order to hold the entire shoe assembly in its proper concentric relation with the brake drum, a laterally extending nib 34 is formed on ear 32 at the left side of the supporting plate to engage the underside of the shoel 3 rim of shoe I8 and thereby prevent horizontal shifting movement of the shoe assembly.

The lower end of the rim of each brake shoe has a notch 36 formed therein to engage one side of the anchor projection I6. Thus the anchor projection, in addition to receiving the anchoring torque of the shoes, also assists in guiding the shoes. An integral spring-retaining strap 38 is formed on the rim of each of the brake shoes, the respective straps being engaged by opposite ends of a shoe return spring 4U. In order to hold cost to a minimum, and also obtain the maximum unencurnbered space at the center of the brake assembly, the return spring is preferably constituted by a substantially U- shaped wire member, as shown. The force required normally to hold the brake shoes in released position is relatively light, and a springl of this type will suffice for the job. In the usual arrangement, the applying cable which actuates the brake will have its own return spring, and the demand on the shoe return spring 4L! is therefore limited to the veffort required to release the shoes.

The actuating mechanism of the brake has been `designed to provide a very simple and inexpensive structure. It consists of a lever 42, which is carried by the upper ends of the brake shoes. As shown in Figure 2, lever 42 may consist of two metal plates d'4 and d6, which engage one another at one end and which have spaced-apart portions s3 and 50 at the other end. The upper ends of the rims of the two shoes extend into the space provided between portions 48 and 50 of the applying lever plates, thereby positioning and supporting the lever on the'shoes. The engaging portions 4d and 4B of the applying lever plates may be secured together by spot welding. The spaced portions d8 and 5l) may be secured together and at the same time held apart vthe desired distance by means of pins 52 and 56, which have large diameter 'center portions Lto serve as spacers between the lever plates, the

pins 52 and 5 having riveted 'ends 5S which` secure the pins to the lever plates.

The pins 52 and 5 serve as pivotal points of engagement between lever '42 andv the brake shoes. The end of Vthe rim of shoe I is pro# vided with a concave indentation 5B nearone side'thereof, and the end of the rim o'f shoe 20 is provided with Aa concave indentation GQ 'near the side thereof remote frein the indentation in shoe 18. Thus the indentations'in the 'rims 'of the two shoes provide axially-'spaced points "of engagement between the applying lever and the shoes. Pin 5d fits in indentation '58 and directly engages shoe i8, whereas pin 52 has a short strut t2 pivoted thereon. The' curved end t# of strut 52 `engages the indentation 6i) in shoe 263. Strut 62 is used to provide the operative connection between the lapplying lever and shoe 2Q in order to compensate for the axial movement of pin 52 relative to shoe 20 as the lever is rotated, strut 52 pivoting on pin 52 to provide such compensation. In order to prevent strut t2 from becoming improperly oriented in the lever assembly, and thereby interfering with the assembling operation, two small ears 66 and GB are provided on the edge of strut 62, the arrangement being such that oneho'f Athe ears 6B or 68 engages the aligned nibs Il) formed on the inside of plates 48 and 56 of lever 42.

Actuation of the brake may be obtained by pulling on cable 12, which is connectedA to the end of lever 42 by means of clevis 14 and clevis 4 pin 16. Pulling on cable 12 causes lever 42 to rotate in a horizontal plane, thereby spreading the unanchored ends of the brake shoes.

Figure 5 shows a sampleJ installation of the brake of Figures 1 to 4 on the propeller shaft of an automotive vehicle. The support plate, or spider, I2, is 'mounted on the end of the bearing retainer 18 which engages the rear bearing 80 of the transmission main shaft 82. The brake drum 84 is secured to the flange 86, which is connected by means of bolts 88 to the trunion of the universal joint (not shown). The ange 85 is driven from main shaft 82 through the splined connection 90.

When lever l2 is rotated in the horizontal plane, the brake shoes are forced into engagement with drum 84, tending to inhibit rotation thereof and thus stop the vehicle.

Figures 6v and '7 show a slightly Inodied version yof the brake of Figures 1 to 4. In this construction, the anchor for the shoes, instead of being an integral extension on the spider, 12a, is la relatively wide anchor block 92 which is welded engagement between the lower end of each shoe and the anchor, it is considered necessary to have only one ear 28a extending into the radial slot 26a in Yeach shoe web. Additional outwardly extending ears 9B are provided at opposite sides of the spider 12a, but instead of extending into slots in the shoes, they engage vthe undersides of the shoe rims to position the brake assembly concentrically with the drum. y

From a study of the foregoing illustrative'e'xamples of my improved brake, it will be obvious that a structure has been provided which is very simple and uncomplicated in design, and which has a minimum number of components.

Although certain particular embodiments of my invention have been described, it will be understood by those skilled inthe art that the objects of the invention may be attained by the use of constructions `differentin certain respects I from those disclosed withoutjdeparting from the a brake comprising a flat annular supporting plate which is adapted to be secured to a nonrotatable member and which has a radially-extending projection arranged to serve asa brake shoe anchor, two brake shoes each of which consists of a metal backing member and a lining secured thereto, said shoes each having a plurality of radial slots, ears oh the 'supporting plate 'ex'- tendin'ginto the slots to guide the shoes, the. metal backing member of each shoe having a.

notch at one end whichengages the anchor projection and having a spring-retaining Ystrap formed on its radially-inner side, a return spring constituted by a substantially U-shaped wire member having its ends in engagement with the straps of the respective shoes, the metal backing member of each brake shoe having a concave indentation formed in its unanchored end near one side thereof, the indentations in the opposed shoe,ends-being axially spaced'frm one another, anapplying lever Aconsisting' of a pair of'plates which are spaced apart at'one endto receive'the endsy of the metal backing members offthe shoes between the plates, the lever 'being supported by its engagement with the shoes, two axially-spaced pins carried between the plates, one offwhich engages the indentation in'the endv of one of the shoes, a strut pivoted. on the other'pin .and engaging the indentation in the endof the other shoe, and a tension element connected to the lever and adapted to rotate the same to spreadY the unanchored ends of the shoes, forcing the. shoes into an applied -position. fr y Y' y 2. For use in cooperation with a rotatable drum, a brake comprising a, supporting platewhich is adapted to be secured to anon-rotatable member and which has a radially-extending projection arranged toi serve as a brake shoe" anchor, two brake shoes each of which consistsv solely of a rim and a lining secured thereto, said shoes each having a plurality of radial slots, ears on the supporting plate extending into the .slots to guide the shoes, the rim of each shoe having a notch at one -end which engages. the anchor projection and having a spring-retaining. strap formed on its radially-inner side, a return spring constituted by a substantially U-shaped wire member having its ends in engagement with the straps of the respective shoes, the rim of each brake shoe having aconcave indentation formed in its unanchored end lnear one side thereof, an applying lever consisting of a pair of plates which are spaced apart'at oneend to receivethe ends ofthe shoe-rims between the plates, the lever beinggsupported by `its engagement with the shoe rirns`, two vaxiall'y-space'd-pins carried between 'the plates, one of which engages the indenta- -tion in the end of one of-the-shoesa strut pivot"- ed on the otherpin and' engaging the indentation in the end ofthe yother shoe, andan actuating element connectedto the lever and adapted to rotate the same Yto spread'the unanchored endsof the shoes, forcing the shoes radially outwardly to an applied position. Y 3. A brake comprising a supporting platewhich is adapted to be secured to a non-rotatable member and which nasa radially-extending projecf -tion arrangedfto serve vas a brake shoe ianchor, two brake shoes each'of which consists so1e1y;o,f a rim and a lining Vvsecured-..thereto,1 said shoes each having a plurality of radial, slots, earson the supporting plate extending into the slots to guide the shoes,.the rim of each shoe having a notch at one end which engages'the anchor projection, areturn vspring having itsends in engagement with .the respective shoes, the rim of each brake shoe whavinga concave indentation formed in its unanchored end near one side thereof, an applying lever consisting of a pair of plates which arespaced apart at one end to receive the ends of the shoe rims between the plates, two axially-spacedpins .carriedbetween the plates, one of which engages the indentation in the Vend-of one ofthe shoes, a strut pivoted on the other' pinrandY engaging theinde'ntation in the end of the other shoe, and an actuating elerment'connccted to thelever and Aadapted to rotate the same to spread the unanchored .endsof the shoes, forcing the shoes into an applied position.

4. vA brake comprising a supporting plate which is adapted to be securedto a non-rotatable member and which Vhasa radially-#extending projection arrangedto *ser-veas albr'ake shoe anchor,

6 two brake shoes each of which" consists solely of a 'rim and a .lining secured thereto, said shoes each having a plurality of vradial slots, ears'on the supportingl plate extending into the slots tol dentation in the end of one of the shoes, and a strut pivoted on the other pin and engaging the indentation in the end of the other shoe.

5. brake` comprising a supporting plate which is adapted to be secured to a non-rotatable member and which has a radially-extending projection arranged to serve as a brake shoe anchor, two .brake shoes each of which consists solely of a rim and a lining secured thereto, said shoes each having one or more slots, ears on the supporting plate extending into the slots to guide the shoes, the rim of each shoe having a notch at one end which engages the anchor projection and having an indentation formed in its unanchored end near one side thereof, an applying lever having spaced apart side portions which receive the ends of the shoe rims therebetween, andtwo axially-spaced pins carried bythe lever, each operatively engaging the indentation in the end of one ofthe shoes. l

6. A brake comprising a supporting plate which is adapted to be secured to a non-rotatable member and which has a radially-extending projection arranged to serve as a brake shoe anchor,

two brake shoes each of which consists solelyof a rim and a lining secured thereto, said shoes each having one or more radial slots, ears on the supporting plate extending into the slots to guide the shoes, each shoe having a notch at one end which engages theanchor projection, a, return spring having its ends in engagement with the respective shoes, and an actuating member adapted to act on the unanchored ends of the shoes to spread the same.

' '1. A brake comprising a lsupporting plate which is adapted to be secured to a non-rotatable member and which has ra radially-extending projectionarranged to serve as a brake shoe anchor, -two brakeshoes each of which consists solely of a flat arcuate strip, said shoes each having one or more slots, ears on the supporting plate extending into the slots to guide the shoes, each shoehaving a notch at one end which engages the anchor projection, and an actuating member adapted to act on the unanchored ends of the shoes to spread the same.

8. A brake comprising a supporting member which is adapted to be secured to a non-rotatable member and which carries an anchor projection, two brake shoes Veach of which consists of a flat arcuate strip, said shoes each having one or more slots, ears on the supporting member extending into the slots to guide the shoes, each shoe having a notch at one end which engages the anchor projection, and -an actuating member adapted to act on the Yunanchored ends of the shoes to spread the same.

' 9;A brake comprising a supporting member which is adapted to be secured to a non-rotatable member and which carries an anchor projection, two brake shoes eachfrof which consists of a nel? arcuate strip, said shoes each having one'or more slots, ears on the supporting member extending into the slots to guide the shoes, one end of each shoe engaging the anchor projection, .and an actuating Vmember' adapted to act on the unanchored ends of the shoes to spread the same.

10. A brake comprising/a supporting member which has an anchor projection, two brake shoes each of which consists solely of a flat arcuate strip, means on the supporting member for cooperatively guiding the shoes, one end of each shoe engaging the anchor projection, and an actuating member adapted to act on the unanchored ends of the shoes to `spread the same.

11. A brake comprising a supporting member having an anchor thereon, two brake shoes each of which consists of a iiat arcuate strip-means on the supporting member for'Y cooperatively guiding the shoes, one end of each shoe slidably engaging 'the anchor, each shoe having a concave indentation formed in its unanchored end near one side thereof, the indentations in the opposed shoe ends being axially spaced from one another, an applying leverv consisting of a pair of plates which are spaced apart at one end to receive the ends of the shoes between the plates, the lever being supported by its engagement with the shoes, two axially-spaced pins carried between the plates, one of which engages the indentation in the end of one of the shoes, a strut pivoted on the other p-in and engaging the indentation in the end of the other shoe, and an actuating element connected to the lever and adapted to rotate the same to spread the unanchored ends of the shoes.

12. A brake comprising a supporting member having an anchor thereon, two brake shoes each of which consists of a flat arcuate-strip, means on the supporting member for cooperatively guiding the shoes, one end of each shoe slidably engaging the anchor, each shoe haivng a concave indentation formed in its unanchored end near one side thereof, an applying lever consisting of a pair of plates which are spaced apart at one end to receive the ends of the shoes between the plates, the lever being supported by its engagement with the shoes, two axially-spaced pins carried between the plates, one of which engages the indentation in the end of one of the shoes, a strut pivoted on the other pin and engaging the indentation in the end of the other shoe, and an actuating element connected to the lever and adapted to rotate the same to spread the unanchored ends of the shoes.

13. A braise comprising a supporting lmember Y having an anchor thereon, two brake shoes each of which consists of a at 'arcuate strip, means on the supporting member for cooperatively guiding the shoes, one end of each shoe slidably engaging the anchor, each shoe having an indentation formed in its unanchored en dnear one side thereof, an applying lever consisting of a pair of plates which are spaced apart at one end to receive the ends of theV shoes between the plates, two axially-spaced pins carried between the plates, one of which engages the indentation in the end of one of the shoes, and a strut pivoted on the other pin and engaging the indentation in the end of the other shoe.

14. A brake actuating device comprising two brake shoes each of which has a flat arcuate rim, each shoe having an indentation formed in `its unanchored end near one side thereof, an applying lever carried by said shoes having spaced apart side portions which receive the ends of the shoes therebetween, and two axially-spaced shoe-engaging elements carried by the lever, each operatively engaging the 4indentation in the end of one of the shoes.

15. A brake actuating device comprising two brake shoes each of which has a dat arcuate rim, an applying lever carried by said shoes having spaced apart side portions which receive the ends of the shoes therebetween, and two axiallyspaced shoe-engaging elements carried by the lever, each operatively engaging the end of one of the shoes.

16. A brake actuating device comprising two brake shoes each of which has a nat arcuate rim, an applying lever carried by the shoes, and two axially-spaced shoe-engaging elements carried by the lever, each operatively engaging the end of one of the shoe rims.

17. A brake comprising. a supporting plate which is adapted to be secured to a non-rotatable member and which has a radially-extending projection arranged to serve as a brake shoe anchor, a friction means having a plurality of radial slots, ears on the supporting plate extending into the slots to guide said friction means, an applying lever consisting of a pair of Plates which are spaced apart at one end to receive the ends of the friction means between the plates, and an actuating element connected to the lever and adapted to rotate the same to spread the ends yof the friction means, forcing said means into engagement with the drum.

18. A brake comprising a supporting plate which is adapted to be secured to a non-rotatable member and which has a radially-extending projection arranged to serve as a brake shoe anchor, a friction element having a plurality of radial slots, ears on the supporting plate extending into the slots to guide said element, and an applying lever having spaced apart side portions which receive the ends of the friction element therebetween.

19. A brake comprising a supporting plate which is adapted to be secured to a non-rotatable member and which has a radially-extending pro- `iection 4,arranged to serve as a brake shoe anchor, afriction element having a plurality of radial slots, ears onthe supporting plate extending into/the slots to guide said element and an applying means located oppositely from said anchorl and interposed between the ends of said friction element. Y

BRYAN E. HOUSE.

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